Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
JJ Bola is a writer and poet whose work spans both fiction and non-fiction. Born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, he moved to the United Kingdom at a young age. Bola’s writing often explores themes of identity, migration, and belonging.
He is the author of the novel No Place to Call Home, published by OWN IT! in 2017. The novel follows the experiences of a family who seek asylum in the UK, drawing on Bola’s own background and insights into the refugee experience. In addition to his fiction, Bola has published poetry collections, including Word (2015), Elevate (2016), and Refuge (2018).
Bola’s non-fiction work includes Mask Off: Masculinity Redefined, published by Pluto Press in 2019. This book examines contemporary ideas of masculinity and challenges traditional stereotypes, offering perspectives on how masculinity can be reimagined in modern society.
JJ Bola’s writing has been recognised in various literary circles, and he has participated in events and festivals in the UK and internationally. In 2021, his novel The Selfless Act of Breathing was published by Dialogue Books.
Books for Reception – a collection of great picture books for EYFS children aged 4-5 in UK primary schools. Picked by teachers and librarians, this reading list contains stories and poems by Michael Rosen, Steve Weatherill, Jeanne Willis, Oliver Jeffers, Julie Fulton, and more.
Summer reading challenge – A good reading challenge will not only promote reading and encourage reading for pleasure, but it will encourage a reading culture to spread like a virus throughout your school.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2023. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops, or Waterstones.com.
Keep up to date with our email newsletter and our latest social media posts about reading, children's books and literacy.
© 2026 School Reading List. All Rights Reserved | As an Amazon Associate schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases | Policies and Terms of Use
